Biography
Mark Batten was born in Bristol in 1980 and educated at Clifton College. He studied at the Junior Organ Conservatoire of London with Ann-Elise Smoot and subsequently at Birmingham Conservatoire where his principal teachers were David Saint, David Bruce-Payne and Douglas Hollick. Whilst at the Conservatoire Mark held the organ scholarships at St Chad’s and St Philip’s Cathedrals and was awarded the Conservatoire’s Geoffrey Knowles award that enabled him to further his studies with the renowned concert organist David Briggs.
After graduating in 2003 with a BMus(Hons) degree and the John Campbell Keyboard Prize Mark spent a year as Assistant Organist at the Birmingham Oratory whilst undertaking postgraduate research for an MMus degree into issues of performance practice in 19th and 20th century French and Belgian organ music During this time he undertook further study in Paris with Susan Landale.
After receiving his Master’s degree Mark spent five years as Organist and Associate Director of Music at the church of St James the Greater in Leicester. Whilst there he worked closely with the well-known choir of men and boys with whom he appeared on the popular BBC 2 television series "The Choir — Boys Don’t Sing". Alongside his work at St James the Greater Mark was also accompanist to the Leicester Bach Choir.
In January 2010 Mark spent two terms as Acting Organist and Music Teacher at Oakham School in Rutland. The rewarding experience of teaching at Oakham encouraged Mark to embark on a full time teaching career and in September 2010 he took up a post as a Trainee Teacher at Brighton College where he is responsible for playing the organ at the daily chapel services.
As a solo recitalist Mark has performed in the recital series at Blackburn, Birmingham, Bradford, Chichester, Coventry, Ely, Leicester, Sheffield and St Paul’s Cathedrals amongst numerous other venues.